Regulated coin released lockiong mechanism



Aug. 18, 1964 M. KRAKAUER ETAL REGULATED COIN RELEASED LOCKING MECHANISMFiled Jan. 18, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS MERE/LL KPHKHUE? HENRY E.VERBEKE HTTOPNEY Aug. 18, 1964 M. KRAKAUER ETAL 3,144,924

REGULATED com RELEASED LOCKING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 18, 1960 4Sheets-Sheet 2 a 2. w I

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REGULATED COIN RELEASED LOCKING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 18, 1960 4Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. MERE/LL (@HKQUEE HENRY E. VEeBEA E IQTTOENEYAug. 18, 1964 M. KRAKAUER ETAL 3,144,924

REGULATED com RELEASED LOCKING MECHANISM MERE/LL (ea/mum HENRY E. VEEBEKE arrow/57% United States Patent 3,144,924 REGULATED CQIN RELEASEDLGCKING MECI-IANESM Merrill Kraitauer, Livingston, and Henry E.Verbelke,

Chester, N..I., assignors, hy mesne assignments, to Autornatic CanteenCompany of America, (Ihicago, ill., a

corporation of Delaware Filed Ian. 18, I960, Ser. No. 3,]W2 9 Claims.(Cl. 194-18) Our invention relates to a regulated coin-released lockingmechanism and more particularly to an improved coin-released lockingmechanism, the operation of which is governed to ensure that itfunctions in its intended manner when actuated in response to theoperation of a manually operated merchandising machine.

In coin mechanisms of the prior art employed on manually operatedmerchandising machines, the coins deposited in the machine as thepurchase price of an article form part of the mechanical linkage foroperating the machine. In machines of this type no problem exists ofcorrelating the establishment of a credit corresponding to the sum incoins deposited in the machine with the sale price of an article. Thesecoin mechanisms, however, have no provision for making change and arenot adapted to permit the sale of a large number of articles atdifferent various prices.

The copending application of Merrill Krakauer and Henry Verbeke, SerialNo. 839,218, filed September 10, 1959, now Patent No. 3,107,000,discloses a Coin-Released Locking Mechanism which permits the sale of avery large number of articles selling at various prices while givingchange to a customer in the event a sum in excess of the purchase priceof a selected article is deposited in the machine. That copendingapplication discloses two forms of the invention, one of which isapplicable to an electrical merchandising machine and the other one ofwhich is applicable to a mechanically operated merchandising machine. Inthe electrically operated form of the invention, a credit correspondingto the sum in coins deposited in the machine is established by theoperation of a stepping solenoid which positions a switch contact arm ata position corresponding to the sum deposited in the machine. Owing tothe fact that the credit is established in this manner and since thespeed of operation of the machine is determined by the components of theelectrical circuitry employed therein, this form of the machine operateswith a high degree of certainty in the intended manner to give thecorrect sum in change.

In the mechanical form of the mechanism set forth in the copendingapplication, a credit cor-responding to the sum in coins deposited inthe machine is established by a mechanical linkage. The operation of thechangemaker and the movement of the escrow shelf in response tooperation of the machine, all are under the manual control of thecustomer. Owing to this fact, improper operation of the mechanism ispossible. That is, the dispensing mechanism may be operated fast orslow; the time of operation of the dispensing mechanism can be variedwith reference to the time of deposit of coins; and the coin returnmechanism as well can be manipulated. In the manual form of themechanism shown in the copending application, if, for example, a quarteris deposited in the mechanism for the purchase of an article selling atthe machine may be unlocked slightly in advance of the establishment ofthe correct credit. If the customer actuates the dispensing mechanismquickly he will be given no change. It will be appreciated that upon theoccurrence of this event an irate customer may either damage the machineor at least complain to the 3,144,924 Patented Aug. 18-, 1964management. Dishonest persons may claim to have been cheated out ofchange when in fact they have not been. For this reason it is imperativethat the correct change always be given by the machine.

Other types of misoperation of the coin mechanism on a manually operatedmachine are possible. If, for example, the machine is operated after thenormally locked mechanism has been freed and while the coins are stillfalling through the register the escrow shelf may return and catch thesecoins after the article has been delivered. Thus a customer can actuatethe coin return mechanism and get his money back as well as the articleof merchandisc. It is also possible that a customer may obtain anarticle of merchandise, get his money back and also get change.

We have invented a regulated coin-released locking mechanism whichprevents misoperations of the type described hereinabove. Our improvedcoin-released locking mechanism ensures that the correct sum in changealways is given to the customer. Our machine is so constructed that acustomer who inadvertently deposits more than the required sum in coinswill not lose his money. Our machine prevents dishonest customers fromobtaining merchandise without payment. Our machine prevents dishonestcustomers from manipulating the mechanism in such manner as to obtainchange in addition to merchandise without payment.

One object of our invention is to provide a regulated coin-releasedlocking mechanism which overcomes defects of known mechanicalcoin-released locking mechanisms.

Another object of our invention is to provide a regulated coin-releasedlocking mechanism which ensures that the correct sum in change always isgiven a customer.

A further object of our invention is to forestall loss to a customer ofchange resulting from a fast operation of the dispensing mechanism.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a regulatedcoin-released locking mechanism which prevents a dishonest customer fromobtaining merchandise without payment and from obtaining change where nochange is to be given.

Other and further objects of our invention will appear from thefollowing description:

In general our invention contemplates the provision of a regulatedcoin-released locking mechanism having a time delay means for slowingthe movement of a locking slide with respect to a credit registeringslide when both slides move in response to the deposit of coins. Thistime delay means ensures that the proper credit is established beforethe operating mechanism is freed.

We provide our mechanism with a second time delay means for slowing thereturn of the escrow shelf to the position at which it receives coinsafter it has moved to the position at which coins on the shelf areaccepted.

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the instantspecification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith and inwhich like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in thevarious views:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of our regulated coinreleased lockingmechanism.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of our regulated coin-releasedlocking mechanism.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary front elevation of our regulated coin-releasedlocking mechanism with parts removed and with other parts broken awaytaken along the line 33 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of one form of dispensing meanswith which our regulated coin-released locking mechanism may be used.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of our regulated coin-releasedlocking mechanism showing the change making means.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary rear elevation of our regulated coin-releasedlocking mechanism taken along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 2.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, our coin-released lockingmechanism indicated generally by the reference character 10 includes acoin slot 12 into which coins are deposited by a customer wishing tomake a purchase. Coins deposited in the slot 12 first pass through acoin separator and slug rejector indicated generally by the referencecharacter 14 of any suitable type known to the art such, for example, asthat shown in the copending application of Christian Gabrielsen, SerialNo. 469,183, filed November 16, 1954, now Patent No. 2,975,880. Afterpassing through the coin separator and slug rejector 14, coins travelthrough a coin totalizer indicated generally by the reference character16. This register 16 may be of any suitable type known to the art andpreferably is the type shown in the Krakauer et al. application referredto hereinabove. As is explained more fully in the Krakauer et al.application, a quarter passing downwardly through the totalizer 16actuates a feeler 18, a nickel passing downwardly through the totalizer16 actuates a feeler 20, while a dime passing through the totalizeractuates the feeler 20 and a feeler 22. In response to actuation of thefeelers 18, 20, and 22, a totalizer bar 24 moves downwardly through anaggregate distance which is proportional to the sum in coins which passthrough the totalizer. The bar 24 drives a stud 26 through the samedistance as that distance through which the bar 24 moves.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, the stud 26 extends through a suitableopening in the wall 28 of the mecha nism and carries an eccentricbushing 30. Any suitable means such as a screw 31 adjustably positionsthe bushing on the stud 26. Our mechanism includes a first locking slide32. the lower end of which normally rests on the bushing 30. A pair ofspaced guide bushings 34 and 36 carried by the wall 28 guide bar 32 forvertical sliding movement as viewed in FIGURE 2.

We employ any suitable means such, for example, as a screw 38 forsecuring a locking block 40 in a position on totalizer bar 32corresponding to a base price with reference to which pricedifferentials are provided in a manner to be described.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, one form of machine with which ourcoin-released locking mechanism may be used includes a frame indicatedgenerally by the reference character 42 carrying a housing 44 whichsupports a plurality of plungers 46 having actuating knobs 48. When aplunger 48 is pulled in a direction outboard of the machine or to theleft as viewed in FIGURE 4, a dependent finger 50 on the plunger engagesthe machine operating bar 52 to slide the bar to the left as viewed inFIGURE 4 along slots 54 formed in the machine frame. As the bar 52 movesto the left as viewed in FIGURE 4, a cam plate 56 carried by the housing4-4 moves a latch 58 into a position at which it engages the operatingbar during the return movement of the plunger 46 to ensure return of thebar with the plunger. A pawl 59 rotatably supported on the operating baris normally urged by a spring 62 into engagement with a rack on thehousing 42. This mechanism prevents return movement of the plunger 46,once its movement has been initiated, until the full outward stroke ofthe plunger is complete.

Movement of a plunger 46 outboard of the machine initiates a dispensingoperation of the machine with which our regulated coin-released lockingmechanism is used. Since this machine per se forms no part of theinstant invention it will not be described in detail. The details of oneform of machine with which our mechanism is used are shown in thecopending application of Christian Gabrielsen and Arthur R. Ericson,Serial No. 782,721, filed December 24, 1958, now Patent No. 2,996,217.It will be understood that our mechanism is not limited to 4 use withthe machine shown in that copending application but may be used with awide variety of machines dispensing articles or services.

We rotatably connect one end of a link 72 to the operating bar 52. A pin74 connects the other end of link 72 to one arm 76 of a bell crankrotatably carried by a shaft '78 supported by the machine frame. Aspring 80 coiled around shaft 78 normally urges the bell crank havingarm 76 to rotate in a clockwise direction around shaft 78. One end ofthe spring bears against a bracket 82 carried by the frame 42 while theother end of the spring engages the other arm 84 of the bell crank. Apin 86 carried by the arm 84 is disposed in a slot 88 formed in one endof an actuating link 92 supported on a pin 94, carried by the machineframe, by means of a slot 96. A stud 98 is disposed in the otherbifurcated end 108 of link 92. From the structure just described it willbe seen that as a plunger 46 is moved to the left as viewed in FIGURE 4,it pivots the bell crank including arm 76 in a counterclockwisedirection around shaft 78 and at the same time drives actuating link 92upwardly to the left as viewed in FIGURE 4.

Referring again to FIGURE 2, a horizontal locking slide 162 carried by aguide 104 on the wall 28 and by a floating bushing 106 carries the pin98. A plate 108 slidably supported on screws 110 or the like carried bywall 28 supports bushing 186. A flat spring 112 secured to the slide 102by rivets 114 normally positions a locking pawl 116 on the slide 102 ata location at which it will engage the block 40 when the totalizerlocking slide 32 is in that position which it occupies when no coinshave been deposited in the machine. For purposes of clarity in order toshow the relationship between the structure of FIGURE 2 and the machinestructure shown in FIG- URE 4, we have indicated the locking slide 102in phantom in FIGURE 4.

Referring again to FIGURE 2, we form one end of a credit gear rack slide118 with a slot 120 which suspends the slide 118 on the pin 26 carryingroller 30. A guide pin 122 carried by wall 28 rides in a slot 124 toguide the slide 118 in its movement. We employ any suitable means suchas spacers 126 or the like for securing the credit gear rack 128 toslide 118. Rack 12S engages a pinion 130 rotatably supported on a shaft132 carried by a price differential link 134. Pinion 130 engages achange-determining rack 136 slidably supported on studs 138 carried bywall 28. The studs 138 ride in a slot 139 formed in the rack 136. Fromthe structure so far described, it will be seen that as coins passthrough the totalizer 16, pin 26 and the bushing 30 carried thereby movedownwardly as viewed in FIGURE 2 through a distance proportional to thesum in coins deposited in the machine. As the pin 26 moves downwardly,it drives the credit rack slide 118 downwardly through the samedistance. Rack 128 drives pinion 130 to move the rack 136 upwardlythrough the same distance as that through which slide 118 movesdownwardly in response to the deposit of coins in the machine.

As has been pointed out hereinabove, we so construct our machine thatthe full credit is established in the mechanism before the operatingparts of the machine associated with the mechanism are freed. Referringnow to FIGURES 2 and 3, we connect the upper end of the totalizer bar 32to the piston wire 140 of an air dashpot assembly indicated generally bythe reference character 142. Any suitable means such as a screw 144screwed into a boss 148 carried by arm 32 secures the arm to the dashpotpiston wire 140. The assembly 142 includes a sleeve or cylinder 151)formed of a material such as glass or the like and provided with a slot152 in its wall. We secure a plate 153 provided with a port 155 over oneend of the cylinder 150. A screw 157 threaded into the base 156 of theassembly 142 and into the plate 153 clamps a member 159 between theplate 153 and the base 156. We form member 159 with a flap 161 whichoverlies port 155.

The cylinder 150 receives a piston 154 carried by the wire 140. As thepiston 154 moves into the cylinder 15f) flap 161 permits air to passthrough port 155 relatively freely. This air escapes through a port 163in base 156. With slot 152 covered, as the piston moves outwardly flap161 prevents the passage of air into the cylinder 156 through port 155.At the same time air is drawn slowly in around the edges of the clampedmember 159 and into the cylinder 150 through a port 165 in plate 153.When the slot 152 is uncovered the piston again moves freely. Screw 157may be adjusted to regulate the rate of how of air into the cylinderthrough port 165. We initially position the piston 154 at a location atwhich its end face registers with slot 152.

From the structure just described, it will be seen that as the stud 26carrying the eccentric bushing 36 moves downwardly, the creditestablishing slide 18 moves downwardly owing to the direct connectionbetween the stud 26 and the slide 118 provided by the slot 126. Thus acredit corresponding to the sum in coins deposited in the machine isimmediately established. At the same time the totalizer locking slide 32is permitted to move downwardly to move the locking block 46 downwardlyout of the path of movement of the locking pawl 116 to free theoperating parts of the machine. In our arrangement the rate at which theslide 32 is permitted to move downwardly is initially determined by therate at which air is permitted to flow into the cylinder 150 throughport 165. After a predetermined movement of the slide 32, piston 154uncovers the opening 152 to permit the slide to move relatively freely.We have found that if we initially position the piston 154 at a locationat which it uncovers the opening 152 after a movement corresponding tothe basic coin such, for example, as a nickel, used in the machine,sufficient time delay is provided to ensure that the correct credit isestablished before the operating mechanism of the machine is freed.While we have shown an air dashpot assembly 142 as affording therequired time delay, it is to be understood that we can, of course,employ any suitable time-delay means such as an inertial governor, anescapement or the like which are not shown since they are well known inthe art.

Referring again to FIGURE 4, the sections of the machine with which ourmechanism is used may be provided with price differential cranks 164according as the sale price of the articles of a section is equal to thebase price for which the mechanism is set or is different from the baseprice. We secure the crank arms 164 to a shaft 166 for rotationtherewith. Shaft 166, which is supported in the machine frame, carriesfor rotation therewith an arm 180 the end of which is formed with anoffset lug 182. When a plunger 46, corresponding to a machine sectionfor which a price differential is provided, is actuated the finger 50actuates the crank 164 to rotate shaft 166 in a counterclockwisedirection.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 4 of the drawings, one form of pricedifferential mechanism which may be used with our coin-released lockingmechanism includes a price differential disk 186 rotatably carried on ashaft 188 on the wall 23. We form the disk 186 with a plurality of camsurfaces, the lowest surface 196 of which represents no pricedifferential and the other surfaces of which represent various pricedifferentials in multiples of the base coin such as a nickel used withthe machine. For example, the respective surfaces 192, 194, 196 and 1%may correspond respectively to price differentials of c, and A spring266 extending between a stud 262 on wall 28 and an offset lug 264 formedon price differential link 134 normally urges the link upwardly asviewed in FIGURE 2 to a position at which a roller 266 carried by ashaft 208 on the other end of the link engages a cam surface such as thesurface 196 of the price differential disk 136. A stud 216 carried bywall 28 and disposed in a slot 212 in the price differential link 134and a slot 214 in link 134 surrounding shaft 183 guide the pricedifferential link 134 in its move ment. A spring 216 extending between astud 218 on wall 28 and one of a number of offset lugs 22ft carried bythe price differential disk 166 normally urges the disk to rotate in acounterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG- URE 2. For purposes ofclarity in exposition, we have shown the price differential disk 136 inphantom in FIG- URE 4 and have shown the actuating arm 186 in phantom inFIGURE 2. As will be apparent from these figures the lug 182 is adaptedto engage one of a number of studs 222 on the disk 186 depending uponthe price differential for which the disk is set. When arm 18f) moves ina counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG- URE 4 or in a clockwisedirection as viewed in FIGURE 2, arm 18% rotates the price differentialdisk 186 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 2 to cause one ofthe cam surfaces on the price differential disk to move the link 134downwardly through a distance proportional to the amount of the pricedifferential.

From the structure thus far described, it will be apparent that upon thedeposit of coins in the machine stud 26 moves the credit establishingslide 113 downwardly as viewed in FIGURE 2 through a distanceproportional to the sum in coins deposited in the machine. Owing to theconnection between the credit establishing slide rack 128 and thechange-determining rack 136 provided by pinion 136, rack 136 movesupwardly through a distance which is proportional to the aggregate sumin coins deposited. If the section corresponding to the selected articleis provided with a price differential upon actuation of the associatedplunger 46 disk 186 rotates to move link 1254 downwardly through adistance proportional to the amount of price differential. Upon theoccurrence of this movement, pinion 136 moves the changedetermining rackdownwardly through a distance proportional to the amount of the pricedifferential to subtract this amount from the credit set up on theprice-determining rack 12%. Thus rack 136 has an overall movement whichis proportional to the sum in coins deposited in the machine less theamount of the price differential.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 5, the changedeterrnining rack carries asupport 224 which extends through a suitable opening 226 in the wall 28.We provide support 224 with a plurality of holes 228 one of whichreceives a wire 230. Wire 2313 is placed in that hole 228 whichcorresponds to the base price for which the machine with which ourmechanism is associated is set. Wire 230 is adapted to provide aconnection between the support 224 and a change-maker actuator 232rotatably supported on a shaft 234 carried by the panel 28. Wire 2311 isadapted to engage a flange 246 formed on the actuator 232 after apredetermined movement upwardly of the support 224 as viewed in FIGURE2. When the change-determining rack 136 and its support 224 have movedupwardly through a distance corresponding to the base price for whichthe machine is set, upon further movement upwardly of these members,wire 23% moves the actuator 232 in a counterclockwise direction asviewed in FIGURE 5.

We provide the actuator 232 with a lug 242 adapted to engage an offsetlug 244 of the change-determining cam 246 rotatably supported on a shaft236 carried by an extension 237 on a change-maker drive slide 238slidably supported on the mechanism frame. We form cam 246 with a numberof surfaces 248 at various levels for determining the sum in change tobe given a customer.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, the locking slide 102 carries a stud 251which rotatably supports a roller 252. Roller 252 rides in a slot 254formed in the end of an arm 256 rotatably supported on a shaft 258carried by wall 28. When the locking slide 102 moves to the right asviewed in FIGURE 2 in response to operation of a plunger 46, roller 252moves arm 256 in a clockwise direction about shaft 258 against theaction of a spring 260 connected between a pin 262 on wall 28 and a pin264 on the arm 256. A stud 266 on arm 256 rotatably supports a roller268 which extends through an opening 278 in wall 28.

Referring again to FIGURE 5, roller 268 is adapted to engagebifurcations 270 and 272 formed on the end of a changer-operating lever274 rotatably supported on a stud 276 carried by the wall 28. Whenroller 268 moves to the right as viewed in FIGURE 2, or to the left asviewed in FIGURE 5, it rocks lever 274 in a counterclockwise directionas viewed in FIGURE around stud 276. Upon return movement of the slide102 lever 274 moves to its initial position. A stud 278 on the end oflever 274 is disposed in a slot 280 formed in an overload release link282 rotatably supported on a stud 284 carried by a changer slidecoupling arm 286 rotatably supported on stud 288 carried by the slide238. A spring 290 connected between a pin 292 on the slide 238 and a pin294 on the coupler arm 286 normally urges the arm to rotate in aclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 5. A spring 296 extendingbetween a tab 298 on arm 286 and a tab 300 on link 282 provides aresilient connection between the link 282 and the coupling arm 286.

When arm 274 moves in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE5, stud 278 acts on link 282 first to tend to pivot coupling arm 286 ina clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 5. Under this action and underthe action of spring 230, a lug 382 on the coupling arm 286 is broughtinto engagement with one of the surfaces 248 of the cam 246. After thisengagement takes place, stud 278, acting through the overload connectionprovided by link 282 and by spring 296, moves the assembly includingslide 238, link 282, arm 286, and cam 246 to the right as viewed inFIGURE 5. A spring 304 connected between a pin 396 on slide extension237 and a lug 308 on the cam 2'46 normally positions the cam inengagement with the pin 306. A pendulous member 307 pivotally supportedon a shaft 389 on wall 28 moves to engage a lug 311 on member 387 withteeth 313 on cam 246 upon jarring of the machine to prevent movement ofthe cam 246. This prevents a dishonest customer from obtaining more thanthe correct sum in change by jarring or tilting the machine.

The change maker of our mechanism includes a housing 310 carried by thewall 28. Housing 310 slidably supports a plurality of changer blades312, each of which is adapted to be actuated to dispense a coin such asa nickel from a coin tube 314 carried by the wall 28. A flange 316 onthe changer coupling arm 286 is adapted to engage one or more of theblades 312 depending upon the position of changer cam 246. When theslide 238 moves to the right, a number of coins such as nickels equal tothe number of engaged blades are given to the customer in change. Sincethis change maker structure per se forms no part of the instantinvention, it will not be described in detail herein. This structure ismore fully shown and described in the copending application of Krakaueret 211., Serial No. 26,881, filed May 4, 1960, for a Multiple-Slide,Single Reservoir Coin Dispenser.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 our mechanism includes a coin return plunger318 slidably supported in a housing 320 carried by the wall 28. Anysuitable means such, for example, as a pair of pins 322 or the likecarried by the plunger 318 are adapted to engage one arm 324 of a bellcrank pivotally supported on the wall 28 by means of a pin 326. Weconnect the other arm 328 of the coin return bell crank to a pin 330carried by an actuating link 332. A pin 334, carried by link 332, isdisposed in a slot 336 in the coin return link 338. A spring 340connected to the pin 334 and to a pin 342 on the coin return link 338provides a resilient connection between the link 332 and the link 338. Aspring 342 extending between a guide bushing 344 carried by the wall 28and a bracket 346 on link 3338 normally urges the assembly upwardly asviewed in FIGURE 2. When plunger 318 is actuated to rotate the bellcrank including arm 328 in a counterclockwise direction about shaft 326,

the coin return link 338 moves downwardly. A stud 348 on the link 338supports a roller 356 adapted to engage a reset lever 352 rotatablysupported on a shaft 354 carried by the wall 28 to pivot the lever 352in a counterclockwise direction upon downward movement of return link338. As is explained more fully in the first Krakauer et a1.application, referred to hereinabove, a spring 356 supported on a boss360 on the lever 352 normally positions a reset lever 364 to permit itto reset the locking slide 32 and the totalizer and change-determiningmechanism upon operation of the coin return lever. Another roller 366rotatably carried on a shaft 368 on the arm 256 is adapted to actuatethe lever 352 upon the occurrence of a dispensing operation to reset theparts of the mechanism.

Referring again to FIGURE 5, our mechanism includes a coin shelf 370carrying a pair of stub shafts 372 and 374 which rotatably support theshelf in flanges 376 and 378 on the wall 28. A spring 380 extendingbetween a pin 381 on flange 376 and on offset car 382 on the shelfnormally biases the shelf in a direction such that its upper portiontends to move outboard of the mechanism as viewed in FIGURE 5. The stud348 on the coin return link 338 extends through an opening in wall 28 tosupport a member 384 having an extension 386 which cooperates with aplate 387 carried by shelf 370. We form plate 387 with a cam lug 388.Extension 386 normally prevents the shelf 370 from tilting under theaction of spring 380. When the coin return link moves downwardly asviewed in FIGURES 2 and 5, the extension 3S6 moves downwardly through adistance which brings it out of engagement with lug 388 to permit theshelf 370 to tilt in a direction to return deposited coins to thecustomer.

The changer-actuating lever 274 carries a stud 390 which uponcounterclockwise movement of the changeractuating lever 274 strikes acam 392 carried by the shelf 370 to pivot the lower edge of the shelf370 outboard of the mechanism to cause coins deposited in the machine tofall into a suitable receptacle (not shown). This action of themechanism in accepting or returning coins is more fully shown anddescribed in the first Krakauer et a1. application referred tohereinabove.

Coins such as quarters and dimes emerging from the totalizer 16 come torest on a shelf portion 394 while coins such as nickels which are thatdenomination of coin which, in this form of our invention, is given inchange come to rest on an inclined surface 396 of the shelf along whichthe coins are adapted to travel to replenish the supply of coins in thetube 314. Our mechanism includes an escrow lever 398 rotatably supportedon a shaft 408 carried by wall 28. A spring 402 extending between an endof the lever 398 and a pin 404 on the coin chute assembly normally urgesthe lever to a position at which a lug 406 extending through an opening408 in the coin chute cover 410 is positioned in the path of coins suchas nickels on the surface 396. When the changer-actuating arm 274 movesin a counter-clockwise direction, a cam pin 412 on the bifurcation 270pivots lever 398 in a clockwise direction to permit a coin to pass fromthe shelf surface 396 into the tube 314. At this time lug 406 actuatesan escapement member 414 pivotally supported on a shaft 416 on the coinchute assembly to permit only a single coin to pass into the tube. Afull supply lever 418 rotatably supported on the shaft 416 carries afeeler 420 which senses the presence of a full supply of coins in thetube. When there is a full supply of coins in the tube, a stop lug 422moves into the path of nickels to prevent these coins from rolling to aposition at which they may enter the tube 314.

As has been pointed out hereinabove, we provide our mechanism with meansfor regulating the movement of the coin shelf 370. Referring to FIGURES5 and 6 any suitable means such as a screw 424 secures a crank arm 426to the stub shaft 374 for movement therewith. We

mount a stud 428 on the end of crank 426 remote from shaft 374. Stud 428receives the end of the piston wire 430 of an air dashpot assemblyindicated generally by the reference character 432. Screws 434 secure abracket 436 to the flange 378. The assembly 432 includes a sleeve orcylinder 440 formed of a material such as glass or the like and providedwith a slot 442 in its wall. We secure a plate 438 provided with a port443 over one end of the cylinder 44%. Screws 439 secure a base 441 tothe bracket 436. A screw 445 threaded through the base 441 and the plate438 clamps a member 447 between base 441 and plate 438. We form member447 with a fiap 449 which normally overlies port 443. Cylinder 440receives a piston 444 carried by wire 430. As the piston 444 movesinwardly of the cylinder 44% the flap 449 permits air to flow relativelyfreely through port 443. This air escapes through a port 451 in base441. With slot 442 covered, as piston 444 moves out of the cylinder flap449 prevents the flow of air into the cylinder through port 443. At thesame time air flows slowly into the cylinder from around the edges ofmember 447 and through a port 453 in plate 438 with the result thatmovement of the piston 444 is slowed until slot 442 is uncovered. Screw445 may be adjusted to regulate the flow of air around the edges ofclamped member 447. We initially position the piston 444 in the cylinder44%) at a location at which the face of the piston is disposed betweenthe edges of the opening 442. When the coin return mechanism is actuatedto tend to rotate crank arm 426 in a counterclockwise direction asviewed in FEGURE 6, the piston is relatively free to move, drawing airthrough the opening 442 into cylinder 444 When the crank arm 426 ismoved in a clockwise direction to accept coins, the initial movement ofthe shelf causes the plunger or piston 444 to expel air from thecylinder 44% first through the opening 442 and then through port 443past the base valve flap 449 as opening 442 is covered. After coins havebeen accepted, spring 356 returns the shelf to its normal position. Thisaction is delayed by the assembly 432 since air must be drawn over theedges of member 447 and through port 453 before piston 444 moves to aposition at which the opening 442 is uncovered. This action, as will beexplained hereinafter, prevents a customer from obtaining bothmerchandise without payment and change.

In operation of our regulated coin-released locking mechanism a customerdeposits a sum in coins equal to at least the purchase price of anarticle into the mechanism through the coin slot 12. After having passedthrough the coin separator and slug rejector 14, the coins pass throughthe totalizer 16 to cause movement downwardly of stud 26 which movementis proportional to the sum in coins deposited in the machine. As can beseen by reference to FIGURE 2, this movement downwardly of the stud 26produces a downward movement of the credit establishing slide 11S whichis equal to the movement of the stud 26 owing to the direct connectionbetween the slide 1 .18 and the stud 26. Thus a full credit proportionalto the sum in coins deposited in the machine is immediately established.As the bushing 34) carried by stud 26 moves downwardly, slide 32 ispermitted to move downwardly. Its action is controlled by the airdashpot assembly 142. During the initial movement of the slide 32, airmust be drawn into the cylinder 150 over the edges of member 159 at arate determined by the setting of screw 157. When the slide 32 movesdownwardly through a distance sufficient to uncover the opening 152, theslide 32 is relatively free to move to its final position determined bythe position of bushing 30. In this manner the operating parts includingthe locking slide 102 of the machine are not freed until the full credithas been established. Upon actuation of an operating plunger 46, slide102 moves to the right as viewed in FIGURE 2 and block 4% is out of thepath of pawl 116 to permit an article to be dispensed. At the same timethe correct 1% sum in change is given the customer depending upon thesum in coins he has deposited in the machine and depending upon the saleprice of the article selected. As has been explained hereinabove, weinitially position piston 154 to slow down slide 32 in its movementcorresponding to a deposit of five cents, for example.

Referring now to FIGURES 5 and 6 coins which have been deposited in themachine are received by the coin shelf 370. When the dispensingmechanism is operated in the manner described hereinabove, lug 390strikes cam 392 to pivot the coin shelf 370 in a clockwise direction asviewed in FIGURE 6 to accept coins on the shelf. This action drives thepiston 444 into the cylinder 440 to a position at which the opening 442in the cylinder wall is covered. The resetting of the coin shelf underthe action of spring 356 is delayed owing to the fact that air must bedrawn over the edges of the clamped member 447 of the assembly 432before a piston 444 can return to a position at which the opening 442 isuncovered. This operation prevents the coin shelf from being reset tocatch coins which are still falling from the totalizer 16 toward theshelf 370 after the machine has been operated as might occur when anextremely rapid operation of the machine takes place. It will beappreciated that if coins were caught by the shelf after a dispensingoperation then the customer could actuate the coin return and obtain themoney back along with the merchandise. It is possible also that wherethe sum deposited was such that change was to be given, the customermight get his money back, an article of merchandise, and change.

It will be seen that we have accomplished the objects of our invention.We have provided a regulated, coinreleased locking mechanism whichovercomes the defects of mechanical coin mechanisms of the prior art.Our mechanism ensures that a credit corresponding to the sum in coinsdeposited in the machine is set up before the machine parts are freed toprevent loss of change to a customer. Our mechanism has means fordelaying the resetting of the escrow shelf to prevent a customer fromgetting merchandise without payment or, merchandise without payment, hismoney back and change.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed Without reference to other features andsubcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of ourclaims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made indetails within the scope of our claims without departing from the spiritof our invention. It is therefore to be understood that our invention isnot to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. In a merchandising machine, a dispensing mechanism comprising amember adapted to move in response to the operation of said mechanism acoin-released locking mechanism including means for normally lockingsaid member, means responsive to the deposit of coins for establishing acredit equal to the sum in coins deposited, change maker means to be setby said credit establishing means to give change, said locking meansbeing responsive to the deposite of coins and being adapted to releasesaid member when a sum aggregating a purchase price has been deposited,means for retarding the releasing action of said locking means to ensurethat said credit registering means has set said change making means togive the correct sum in change before said locking means releases saidmember, a support, an escrow member adapted to receive and temporarilyretain coins deposited in the coin-released mechanism, means mountingsaid escrow member for movement on said support from a first position atwhich said escrow member receives coins to a second position at whichcoins received by said escrow member are accepted, means normallypositioning said escrow member in said first position, means responsiveto the operation of said dispensing mechanism for moving said escrowmember to said second position and means for retarding the returnmovement of said escrow member to said first position under the actionof said positioning means.

2. In a merchandising machine, a dispensing mechanism comprising amember adapted to move in response to the operation of said mechanism, aregulated coin-released locking mechanism including means for normallylocking said member, means responsive to the deposit of coins forestablishing a credit equal to the sum in coins deposited, change makermeans to be set by said credit establishing means to give change, saidlocking means being responsive to the deposit of coins and being adaptedto release said member when a sum aggregating a purchase price has beendeposited and means for retarding the releasing action of said lockingmeans to ensure that said credit registering means has set said changemaking means to give the correct sum in change before said locking meansreleases said member.

3. In a merchandising machine, a dispensing mechanism for dispensing ata purchase price, a regulated coinreleased locking mechanism includingmeans comprising a first movable member for normally locking saiddispensing mechanism, means comprising a second movable member adaptedto set up a credit corresponding to the sum deposited in said machine,change maker means to be set by said credit establishing means to givechange, means responsive to the deposit of coins for moving said movablemembers and means for retarding the movement of said first movablemember under the action of said coin responsive means to ensure thatsaid credit registering means has set said change making means to givethe correct sum in change before said locking means releases saidmember.

4. In a merchandising machine, a dispensing mechanism adapted todispense for a purchase price and comprising a member adapted to move inresponse to the operation of said dispensing mechanism, a regulatedcoinreleased locking mechanism including a locking slide for normallylocking said movable member, means comprising a second slide for settingup a credit corresponding to a deposited sum, change maker means to beset by said credit setting up slide to give change, means normallypositioning said locking slide and said second slide in respectivepositions at which said member is locked and in which said creditestablishing means registers no credit, means responsive to the depositof a predetermined value of coins for moving said locking slide and saidsecond slide to respective positions at which said member is free tomove and at Which said credit establishing means registers a creditcorresponding to the value of coins deposited and means for retardingthe movement of said locking slide to ensure that said credit isestablished to set said change maker means to give the correct sum inchange before said member is released.

5. In a merchandising machine, a dispensing mechanism comprising amember adapted to move in the course of a dispensing operation, aregulated coin-released locking mechanism including a credit registeringslide, means responsive to the deposit of coins for moving said creditregistering slide through a distance proportional to the sum in coinsdeposited, change maker means to be set by said credit registering slideto give change, a locking slide for locking said member, means normallyurging said locking slide to move to a position at which said member isreleased, said coin responsive means normally positioning said lockingslide to lock said movable member and means for retarding the movementof said locking slide with respect to the movement of said credit reg-12 istering slide to ensure that said credit registering slide has setsaid change maker means to give the correct sum in coins before saidlocking slide moves to said position at which said member is released.

6. In a merchandising machine, a dispensing mechanism comprising amember adapted to move in response to the operation of said mechanism, acoin mechanism including a support, an escrow member adapted to re ceivecoins deposited in said coin mechanism, means mounting said escrowmember for movement on said support from a first position at which saidescrow member receives coins deposited in the coin mechanism to a secondposition at which coins received by said escrow member are accepted,means normally positioning said escrow member in said first position,means responsive to movement of said dispensing mechanism member formoving said escrow member to said second position and means forretarding the return movement of said escrow member to said firstposition under the action of said positioning means.

7. In a coin mechanism, a frame, a coin receptacle, an escrow memberadapted to receive and temporarily retain coins deposited in saidmechanism, means mounting said escrow member for movement on said framefrom a first position at which said member receives coins deposited insaid mechanism to a second position at which coins received by saidmember are dropped from said escrow member to a coin receptacle, meansnormally positioning said escrow member in said first position, meansfor moving said member to said second position and means for retardingreturn movement of said escrow member to said first position under theaction of said positioning means.

8. In a coin mechanism, a support, a coin box, an escrow shelf adaptedto receive coins deposited in said mechanism, means mounting said shelffor movement from a first position at which said shelf receives coins toa second position at which coins received by said shelf are dropped tosaid coin box, means normally positioning said shelf in said firstposition, means for moving said shelf to said second position and meansfor retarding the return movement of said shelf to said first positionunder the action of said positioning means.

9. In a coin mechanism, a support, an escrow member, means mounting saidescrow member on said support for movement to a first position at whichcoins on said shelf are accepted and for movement to a second positionat which coins on said shelf are returned, means normally positioningsaid shelf in a third position intermediate said first and secondpositions at which said shelf receives coins, means for moving saidshelf to said second position, means for moving said shelf to said firstposition and means for retarding the return movement of said shelf fromsaid first position to said third position under the action of saidpositioning means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS993,368 Hadida Sept. 7, 1909 1,093,647 Paciorkiewicz Apr. 21, 19141,948,107 Gilchrist et a1. Feb. 20, 1934 2,101,194 Radtke Dec. 7, 19372,156,531 Geer May 2, 1939 2,223,328 Morin Nov. 26, 1940 2,542,034 KeefeFeb. 20, 1951 2,691,484 Hoyt Oct. 12, 1954 2,782,984 Hoban Feb. 26, 1957

1. IN A MERCHANDISING MACHINE, A DISPENSING MECHANISM COMPRISING AMEMBER ADAPTED TO MOVE IN RESPONSE TO THE OPERATION OF SAID MECHANISM ACOIN-RELEASED LOCKING MECHANISM INCLUDING MEANS FOR NORMALLY LOCKINGSAID MEMBER, MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE DEPOSIT OF COINS FOR ESTABLISHING ACREDIT EQUAL TO THE SUM IN COINS DEPOSITED, CHANGE MAKER MEANS TO BE SETBY SAID CREDIT ESTABLISHING MEANS TO GIVE CHANGE, SAID LOCKING MEANSBEING RESPONSIVE TO THE DEPOSITE OF COINS AND BEING ADAPTED TO RELEASESAID MEMBER WHEN A SUM AGGREGATING A PURCHASE PRICE HAS BEEN DEPOSITED,MEANS FOR RETARDING THE RELEASING ACTION OF SAID LOCKING MEANS TO ENSURETHAT SAID CREDIT REGISTERING MEANS HAS SET SAID CHANGE MAKING MEANS TOGIVE THE CORRECT SUM IN CHANGE BEFORE SAID LOCKING MEANS RELEASES SAIDMEMBER, A SUPPORT, AN ESCROW MEMBER ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AND TEMPORARILYRETAIN COINS DEPOSITED IN THE COIN-RELEASED MECHANISM, MEANS MOUNTINGSAID ESCROW MEMBER FOR MOVEMENT ON SAID SUPPORT FROM A FIRST POSITION ATWHICH SAID ESCROW MEMBER RECEIVES COINS TO A SECOND POSITION AT WHICHCOINS RECEIVED BY SAID ESCROW MEMBER ARE ACCEPTED, MEANS NORMALLYPOSITIONING SAID ESCROW MEMBER IN SAID FIRST POSITION, MEANS RESPONSIVETO THE OPERATION OF SAID DISPENSING MECHANISM FOR MOVING SAID ESCROWMEMBER TO SAID SECOND POSITION AND MEANS FOR RETARDING THE RETURNMOVEMENT OF SAID ESCROW MEMBER TO SAID FIRST POSITION UNDER THE ACTIONOF SAID POSITIONING MEANS.